Apparatus for strand treatment



C. A. M CLURE APPARATUS FOR STRAND TREATMENT March 17, 1970 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 19, 1968 IAlG/VTO/C CHARLES A. McCLURE United States Patent 3,500,516 APPARATUS FOR STRAND TREATMENT Charles A. McClure, RD. 2, Malvern, Pa. 19355 Continuation-impart of applications Ser. No. 543,957, Apr. 20, 1966, and Ser. No. 686,424, Nov. 29, 1967. This application Mar. 19, 1968, Ser. No. 714,171

Int. Cl. D02g N16 US. Cl. 281.2 13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to treatment of textile strands, concerning especially strand-crimping. Apparatus is provided for directing hot fluid, preferably obliquely, on one side of a textile strand, the opposite side of which is maintained relatively cool. The strand is preferably confined over three of four quadrants of its circumferential surface at the treating location, the hot fluid being directed onto the strand from the fourth quadrant. The strand so treated, which may consist of only one or may comprise many individual ends lying alongside one another, subsequently assumes a crimped configuration upon being forwarded away from the treating location.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my similarly entitled copending patent applications, Ser. No. 543,957 filed Apr. 20, 1966 granted March 26, 1968, and now Pat. 3,374,514, and Ser. No. 686,424 filed Nov. 29, 1967.

In addition to edge-crimping, gear-crimping, jet-crimping, stuffer-crimping, and twist-crimping it is known to crimp textile strands of at least partially oriented (molecularly) linear polymeric material by setting up a temperature gradient transversely of the strand, whereupon the strand assumes a helically crimped configuration under low (or no) tension after cooling of the heated side. In the last mentioned method the heating of the one side of the strand may be accomplished by contact with a hot solid, liquid, or gas; the opposite side is maintained cool by conductive contact with a solid surface at appropriate temperature. Resulting processing and productcharacteristics leave a good deal to be desired, however.

A primary object of the present invention is improved transverse temperature-gradient treatment of textile strands.

Another object is provision of improved helical crimp in textile strands.

A further object is provision of apparatus for accomplishing the foregoing objects.

Yet another object is improved multiple-end crimping of textile strands.

Other objects of this invention together with means and methods for attaining the various objects, will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying diagrams.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partially schematic, of apparatus according to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a side elevation, on an enlarged scale and partly cut away and in section, of a detailed portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of a roll component of the preceding views; and

FIG. 4 is an oblique sectional view taken at 'IV-IV on FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a partially schematic side elevation of apparatus of this invention similar to the apparatus of FIG. l but especially adapted to treating a multiplicity of strand ends alongside one another;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevation, partly cut away 3,500,516 Patented Mar. 17, 1970 and in section, similar to FIG. 2 but adapted as in the instance of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken at VII VII of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken similarly to FIG. 7 but on a different apparatus embodiment of the invention.

In general, the objects of the present invention are accomplished in treatment of a textile strand wherein the strand is heated on one side and maintained relatively cool on the opposite side, by subjecting the strand on that first side during the heating thereof to a stream of hot fluid incident onto the strand, preferably at an oblique angle and having a velocity component in the running direction greater than the strand velocity, the strand being confined over three of four quadrants of its circumferential surface, with the hot fluid being directed onto the strand from the fourth quadrant.

More particularly the invention comprehends strandcrimping apparatus for forwarding a plurality of plasticizable molecularly oriented textile strands of linear polymeric material alongside one another into a treating zone, heating the strand on one side only to its plasticization temperature by directing thereonto a stream of hot fluid, maintaining the opposite side of the strands cooler than the plasticization temperature, and cooling the strands substantially tension-free, whereupon they assume a crimped configuration.

FIG. 1 shows, in side elevation and partly schematically, strand 10 being withdrawn from supply package 11 by pair of nip rolls 13, 14 and fed to flanged cool roll 15 about which it passes at least a half turn and to the recessed peripheral surface of which is juxtaposed jet end 21 of pipe 22 for hot fluid supplied from source 24 through valve 23 in the pipe. From the cool roll the strand is withdrawn and is forwarded, preferably at reduced rate, about part of roll 17, which is driven or not driven as desired, then past heater 18, and is traversed onto a windup package 20 driven by surface contact with traversing drive roll 19. The cool roll rotates on axle 16 (shown sectioned).

FIG. 2 shows, also in side elevation but partly in section and considerably enlarged, a portion of cool roll 15 and adjacent elements. Part of near flange 25 of the roll is broken away, revealing the otherwise concealed corresponding portion of opposite flange 25 as well as jet end- 21 and the adjacent length increment of strand 10. The roll has hollow 28 inside, which issupplied conventionaly with cooling fluid (not shown). Jet end 21 is concave in the plane of theview, in juxtaposition to the recessed arcuate peripheral surface .of the roll, with suflicient clearance for strand 10 (omitted in the interest of clarity) to pass therebetween. The jet outlet is aligned with bore 27 in pipe 22, and the emitted hot fluid (not shown) is incident at an oblique angle onto the exposed side of the strand, which runs about the roll in essentially non-slipping contact with that recessed peripheral surface thereof. The supply pressure of the hot fluid preferably is such that the velocity component thereof in the direction of strand travel exceeds the rate of travel of the strand.

FIG. 3 shows, in front elevation on the same scale as on FIG. 2, a portion of cool roll 15, without strand 10 on recessed peripheral'surface 26 thereof, which is flanked by pair of flanges 25, 25. This view is what would be seen upon looking leftward from a position to the right of cool roll 15 in the preceding views before the strand is strung thereon. When only a single strand (i.e., one end) is treated on roll 15 the flanges, which together with the intervening roll surface confine the strand laterally over three quadrants of its circumferential surface, may be more closely spaced than the indicated spacing thereof, which is more conducive to multiple- :nding, might suggest. With either a single end or a plurality of ends alongside one another it is desirable to :onfine the flow of hot fluid to the strand side exposed to the open quadrant.

FIG. 4 shows, also in front elevation and partly in section, the elements visible looking obliquely leftward it IV-1V in FIG. 2. Jet end 21 with outlet opening 29 herein is visible end-on, with part of pipe 22, and flanked 3y part of flanges 25, 25' (shown sectioned) of cool roll [5, which is not otherwise visible. Arrows from the outet opening denote the flow of hot fluid therefrom which s predominantly upward in this view, corresponding to novement in the running direction of the strand rather han .otherwise. The roll flanges also serve to channel the low parallel to that direction instead of permitting it to Je dissipated in any great part by a transverse velocity :omponent.

The temperature of the hot fluid should be sufliciently ibove the plasticization temperature of the strand composition to soften the exposed side of the strand in the 'elatively brief time it is exposed thereto. For nylon the luid temperature preferably is at least about a couple iundred degrees centigrade. The cool roll should be naintained well below the strand composition plasticizaion temperature, preferably not more than about twice zoom temperature in degrees centigrade.

As the hot fluid impinges onto the exposed side of he strand, softening thereof occurs, and at least a latent :rimp is imparted thereto. Because the velocity comonent of the fluid in the running direction of the strand s preferably greater than the strand velocity, such as rom several to about ten times as great, the softened side if the strand is subject to being extended thereby in the lirection of travel relative to the opposite side, which s maintained cool.

The resultant configuration of the strand after cooling )f the temporarily heated side, chiefly by conduction while still on the cool roll, is generally helical, giving the itrand a bulky or flufiy appearance, especially when com- :osed of quite a few filaments. The effect upon a monoilament is similar though perhaps less extreme in overall :ffect because of the lack of other contorted filaments n the same strand. More than one strand may be treated .ide by side on the same roll if desired, especially where he strands are monofilaments or contain few filaments lpiece.

FIG. 5 and succeeding views are devoted to illustration )f adaptation of the foregoing means and method in )r to treatment-of a multiplicity of ends of strand side y side. The showing is quite similar to the illustration )f treatment of a single strand end in FIG. 1 and intervenng views, and like elements or components are designated n FIGS. 5 to 8 by reference numerals larger by one lundred than the reference numerals used in the precedng views. Where there is no substantial change in manner if operation, specific mention of at least some thereof is mitted in the interest of brevity.

FIG. 5 differs outwardly from FIG. 1 in that conical vackage 11 of that earlier view has been replaced by beam .ll'from which strand 110 is unwound to cool I011 115. klthough this cool roll looks similar to previous roll 15 n this view and in FIG. 6, which shows a portion thereof nlarged, together with juxtaposed jet end 121 of pipe v22, FIG. 7 (taken sectioned thereon as indicated) shows iifferences. The surface of roll 115 is multiply recessed in .series of rounded grooves between alternate rounded ands toreceive and flank strand ends (shown in place 1, FIG. 7) 110a, b, etc., each of which may comprise umerous individual filaments or consists of a monolament, of course. The, edges of jet end 121 abut un- ;rooved edge portions of the roll surface just inside the ,ange wall so as to preclude lateral escape of the fluid, .nd the jet end is open clear across the grooved portion of the surface so that the fluid therefrom flows over all the strand ends as a group.

FIG. 8 shows alternative jet end 141 juxtaposed to the surface of smooth unflanged roll 135. The jet end has a plurality of separator webs .142 spaced-between. the sides thereof and also juxtaposed to the roll surface, forming therewith a number of compartments, each receiving one (or more) of strand ends 110a, b',1 c, d, e. Of course, as in the previous embodiments, the jet is spaced sufliciently from the roll 10 as not to interfere with rotation thereof. Alsocomb 108 between beam" 111- andfnip rolls 113, 114 and comb 109 between the nip rolls and cool roll 115 are present to align and space apart the plurality of strand ends. One such comb may sufiice but two'are preferred.

Strands may be treated according to this invention either under tension or essentially tension-free. In the first instance the rate of strand withdrawal from the package, as by the indicated nip rolls or the equivalent, is maintained sufliciently lower than .the surface speed of the cool roll to impart the desired degree of tension to the strand therebetween, which may. be suflicient to draw the strand to increased length if desired, and the subsequent forwarding roll is preferably driven at the same surface speed; the windup rate is lower to enable the strand to relax at least partially before being wound up. In the second instance the surface speed of. the nip rolls may be the same as that of the cool roll and the forwarding roll 17 may be undriven. In both instances the cool side of the strand passes in essentially non-slipping contact with the peripheral-surface of the cool roll.

Although only imperfectly understood, the resulting helical crimp in the temporarily tensioned strand may be at least partly attributable to a heat-induced molecular disorientation of the exposed side of the strand such as to preclude subsequent recovery thereof from the increased length imparted thereto by the previously applied tension, whereas the opposite side, which retained its molecular orientation and consequent elasticity, retracts to become relatively shorter. The difference in length along the respective sides forms the strand into helical configuration.

When a strand is treated in essentially tension-free condition the similar result is probably not attributable to the same phenomenon of differential retraction from ap plied tension, although a strand considered essentially tension-free may have internal strains capable of providing a similar though lesser effect under the treating conditions. Instead it appears that a. principal influence'is relative lengthening of the softened exposed side of the strand, asthe hot fluid impinges thereon with a velocity component in the direction of strand. travel, without imparting molecular orientation thereto such as usually results upon extension of a strand composed of linear-polymeric material. The resulting difference in relative lengths of the respective opposite sides of the strand, apparent under low tension as a helical configuration, is similar to that obtained when the strand is treated under tension, although usually less marked. Treatment essentially tension-free has the advantage of eliminating the neces sity for carefully controlling applied tension, as is essen-v tial in the tensioned instance because failure to do so with considerable precisionis conducive to undesirable irregularity of helical configuration or crimp in the product.

Heat relaxation, of the strand in either instance after treatment on the cool roll may be performed 'by exposure of the 'cooled strand tov an intermediate temperature in heater 18, which is heated in any suitable manner, through which it passes at relatively low tension, or similar relaxation may be deferred until later if desired. The heat- The composition of the hot treating fluid may be selected for reasons of cost, heat-capacity, chemical plasticizing effect upon the strand composition, or other reasons. Gases are preferred because of the tendency of most liquids to wet the cool roll or the strand or both, which usually is undesirable. Hot air is quite useful accordingly, with or without the admixture of steam, for example. Some steam usually is helpful because of having a plasticizing effect, but excessive steam is usually undesirable because of problems arising from condensation of water on the apparatus. Combustion gases may be employed, such as acetylene or hydrogen with air or oxygen. Other examples of suitable hot fluids will occur to persons ordinarily skilled in the art in the light of the present teaching.

For best results the radius of the cool roll, in centimeters, should not exceed the cube root of the strand denier. Thus for a 1040 d. strand of carpet yarn, the preferred maximum roll diameter is about 20 cm., and for a 15 d. monofilament about 5 cm.

No attempt will be made to list here the considerable variety of strand compositions subject to successful treatment according to the present invention. No reason is known to rule out any plasticizable strand having a generally linear polymeric composition and at least partially molecularly oriented with respect to the strand axis by predrawing or even by orientation during its formation by extrusion, for example. If desired, the strand may be oriented during or immediately preparatory to the jet heating thereof according to the present invention, as by so relating the speed of the cool roll to exceed that of the preceding nip rolls sufficiently to impart to the strand great enough tension to draw it to increased length, as compared with a lower tension sufficient only to extend it temporarily without exceeding its elastic limits. Crosslinked or three-dimensional polymers, whether organic or inorganic also may be suitable. One or more additional rolls may be added, in contact with the cool roll or between it and the nip rolls to preclude slippage for the purpose of ensuring drawing or simply as a precautionary measure.

Although certain preferred embodiments of this invention have been described above and illustrated in conjunction therewith, modifications therein, whether as above suggested or otherwise, as by adding, combining, or subdividing parts or steps, may be made while retaining all or some of the benefits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In strand-treating apparatus wherein a device for jetting hot fluid is juxtaposed to the surface of a cool strand-supporting roll, the improvement comprising means laterally flanking the strand-supporting portion of the roll surface on opposite sides including side flanges of the roll projecting beyond the strand-supporting portion of the roll surface, and comprising therewith fluid-confining means about three quadrants of the strand circumference.

2. In strand-treating apparatus wherein a device for jetting hot fluid is juxtaposed to 'the surface of a cool strand-supporting roll, the improvement comprising means laterally flanking the strand-supporting portion of the roll surface on opposite sides including projections from the jetting device toward the strand-supporting portion of the roll surface, and comprising therewith fluid-confining means about three quadrants of the strand circumference.

3. In strand-treating apparatus wherein a device for jetting hot fluid is juxtaposed to the surface of a cool strand-supporting roll, the improvement comprising means laterally flanking the strand-supporting portion of the roll surface on opposite sides, wherein the jetting device and the roll surface and the laterally flanking means together comprise fluid-confining means surrounding substantially the entire circumference of the strand at the locus of juxtaposition of the jetting device and the cool roll.

4. Strand-treating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the roll surface is grooved to provide a plurality of strand-supporting portions spaced apart by intervening lands on the roll surface.

5. Strand-treating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the jetting device opens onto the plurality of strand-supporting portions of the roll surface as a group.

6. Strand-treating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the jetting device has a plurality of separator webs spaced apart from one another extending therefrom into juxtaposition with the roll surface and thereby dividing the roll surface into strand-supporting portions flanked thereby.

7. Strand-treating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the roll surface is cylindrically smooth.

8. Strand-treating apparatus comprising a cooled strand-supporting roll, a device for jetting hot fluid obliquely onto the supporting surface thereof, means for feeding a plurality of ends of textile strand thereonto, including a device for aligning and separating a plurality of ends of textile strand between a source of strand supply and the cooled roll, and means for removing the strand therefrom after such treatment on the roll.

9. Strand-treating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the feeding means includes at least one roll rotatable in non-slipping strand contact and comprising strand-drawing means together with the cooled strandsupporting roll.

10. Strand-treating apparatus according to claim 8, including also means for heating the strand substantially uniformly after removal thereof from the cooled strandsupporting roll.

1'1. Strand-treating apparatus comprising a cooled strand-supporting roll having its surface divided into a plurality of strand-supporting portions by intervening solid surfaces, a device for jetting hot fluid obliquely onto the supporting surface thereof, means for feeding a plurality of ends of textile strand thereonto, and means for removing the strand therefrom after such treatment on the roll.

12. Strand-treating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the intervening solid surfaces are supported by the cooled strand-supporting surface.

13. Strand-treating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the intervening solid surfaces are supported by the jetting device.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,113,366 12/1963 Taylor.

LOUIS K. RIMRODT, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 2872.l 

